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Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Who Are the Montreal Impact?

Insight by Chris Kaupp

The Montreal Impact soccer club was founded in 1992 and is making the jump to MLS play in 2012. They have played in many different leagues throughout their existence. The APSL, A-League, USL and NASL are just a few.
In August, the club announced that 14-year MLS vet, Jesse Marsch, would be their head coach moving forward. He played in the MLS from 1996-2009 and has three championships in the league on his resume.

It will be his first head coaching gig after working on the sidelines behind Bob Bradley and Co. with the U.S. Men's National team.

On November 23, the Impact will participate in the 2012 MLS Expansion Draft. They will be able to select a total of 10 players and this is their first real opportunity to build their 2012 squad.
All 18 current MLS clubs can protect 11 players from their 2011 roster. The Impact will then select their 10 players from the list of "unprotected" players.

On December 1, the Impact will unveil their 2012 jerseys. The event will start at 6 p.m. ET at the Montreal Science Center.
Team staff, players, partners and supporters will all be present. Impact president Joey Saputo is very eager for the unveiling and understands it's a huge step forward.
“It will be a major event in the history of Major League Soccer,” he said. “We will be one step closer to our debut in MLS. Our jersey will become an important emblem to which our supporters will want to identify themselves with. We are very excited to present this product, which is very representative of the Impact, the City of Montreal and the Province of Quebec.”

The Montreal Impact are inching closer to their debut in MLS but it’s still four months away and there is plenty of work left to be done.